2017 Volkswagen Touareg SUV

Manufacturer Offer

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Truth in Lending Act Disclosure:
Down payment will vary with APR and credit. For example, 0.0% APR with $2,500 down payment provides for 72 monthly payments of $13.89 per $1000 financed for qualified buyers. 0.0% for a term of 24 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $41.67 per $1000 financed.
0.0% for a term of 36 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $27.78 per $1000 financed.
0.0% for a term of 39 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $25.64 per $1000 financed.
0.0% for a term of 42 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $23.81 per $1000 financed.
0.0% for a term of 48 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $20.83 per $1000 financed.
0.0% for a term of 60 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $16.67 per $1000 financed.
0.5% for a term of 75 months corresponds to a monthly cost of $13.55 per $1000 financed. The rates described are for estimation purposes only; you may not be able to finance at this rate.

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College Grad Offer : $500 customer cash on select Volkswagen models

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Must be within six months of graduation or have graduated no more than 24 months prior to the date of his/her credit application, from a 2- or 4-year accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university with one of the following degrees: Associate's; Bachelor's; Master's ;Doctoral Nursing degree (RN or LPN).
Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Reviews

Driving Impression

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The V6 engine makes 280 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, less than rivals, but enough to move the nearly 4700-pound Touareg reasonably well. And the 8-speed automatic makes the most of the power.

The Touareg handles better than might be expected for its weight. The steering is tuned more for cruising than cornering, but it’s nicely weighted and helps the vehicle feel relaxed. The Executive, with its 21-inch wheels and lower profile tires, rides stiffer.

There are no offroad modes, nor adjustable air suspension, but there are 7.9 inches of ground clearance, so there’s a modicum of unpaved road ability.

Walk Around

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Consistent with Volkswagen design, the Touareg is mature while being sophisticated for its simplicity. The body doesn’t say anything other than SUV, although thin pillars and a low beltline mitigate the heavy appearance.

Interior Overview

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The cabin design is reminiscent of the Volkswagen Passat though with nicer materials and more features. The fit and finish far exceed the Volkswagens built in America and Mexico, as they should for the price. Still, we expect more of a high-end feel. The quality doesn’t match BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Range Rover, or Infiniti, but it’s close enough to be competitive.

Not surprisingly for VW, the position and function of the controls is clean and intuitive. No nonsense, and we appreciate the time and confusion it saves us. So too should drivers who don’t like distraction.

Curiously, the infotainment system doesn’t include Volkswagen’s CarNet system, which is similar to GM’s OnStar and offers diagnostic and convenience features through a smartphone app.

The front seats are excellent, with a high seating position offering good visibility through the windshield; thin roof pillars and low beltline add an airy feel to the cabin. However the tall and wide center console tends to make the front feel cramped, despite the good room in front.

There’s good room for three passengers in the rear, as the rear bench slides six inches. There’s no third-row seat like in the Audi Q7.

Cargo space is quite good, with a power-folding arrangement that yields a fully flat load floor. With the second row raised, there’s 64 cubic feet, a bit less than most rivals.

The Touareg Sport model has lots of shiny silver and gray plastic trim. The Wolfsburg Edition has brushed aluminum, and the Executive glossy wood. As for seating surfaces, the Sport has reasonably convincing leatherette, while the Wolfsburg and Executive have soft leather.

Summary

Editor:

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The Touareg is stylish and thoughtfully engineered, but it’s slow and thirsty compared to rivals, and expensive. It’s also in its sixth year without a redesign.